(19)

(11)

EP 0 961 587 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 08.12.1999 Bulletin 1999/49 (21) Application number: 97953762.0 (22) Date of filing: 09.12.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  A61B 17/ 58( . ) A61B 17/ 78( . ) A61B 17/ 74( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/EP1997/006863 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/030164 (16.07.1998 Gazette 1998/28)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI NL SE (30) Priority: 13.01.1997 US 19970782231 (71) Applicant: SYNTHES AG Chur 7002 Chur (CH)	(72) Inventor: BRESINA, Stephen, J. CH-7260 Davos Dorf (CH) (74) Representative: Lusuardi, Werther Giovanni, Dr.  Dr. Lusuardi AG, Kreuzbühlstrasse 8 8008 Zürich 8008 Zürich (CH)